Create Your Own Marble Stationary

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Easy to follow instructions for creating your own stationary.

Personalized stationary is a great way to show off your penmanship and writing skills. Whether your sending letters, updating a resume, or making Christmas stationary, creating your own personalized stationary sets you apart from everyone else.


So how do you create your own marble stationary? By mixing a combination of oil-based paints of various colors and paint thinner floating on water, paper placed in the water absorbs a mix of colors that resembles marble.


Mix the Paint You’ll need a rectangular metal cake pan about four inches deep to create marble stationary. First pour in a half inch of water into the cake pan.


Now gather together four or more colors of oil-based paint that resemble marble. Mix about two drops of paint per two drops of turpentine into a glass bowl or cup until you have a smooth consistency. Drip a few drops of the mixed paint into the water. You’ll notice that it spreads across the top of the surface. Repeat the same steps with the next colors.


Craft Tip: Mix the oil-based paint solution and water with a stir stick, ONE TIME! Over mixing the solution will result in a muddy look to the paint. If the paint gets muddy, use a paper towel to remove the paint from the water.


Apply the Paper Take the paper by each end and bend it slightly so as the center of the paper touches the surface of the water first. Allow the two ends to lay into the water.


Immediately remove the paper with a pair of tongs or use your hands covered with latex gloves. Place the paper onto an old piece of newspaper and allow the excess water to drain out. Place another sheet of old newspaper over the marble stationary, using a heavy object like a book to press the papers together.


After a few hours, remove the marble stationary from between the old newspapers then hang it up, allowing it to dry for 24 hours. Once the marble stationary is dry, it may be wrinkled. Use two books to sandwich the marble paper between them to press them flat.


Craft Tip: For more intense colors, don’t sandwich the paper between newspapers. Allow it to dry “as is” on top of an old sheet of newspapers. You can do about 2-3 sheets of marble stationary before the paint runs out of the water and you have to reload the paint into the tray. Use a paper towel to remove any “mud” colored paint from the tray before reloading it with paint.